Re: Surgery to Intensive Care Unit

[Guest guest]

Oynx Pearl

Sorry to hear the news about your friend. I'm not surprised it's l

freaked you out. Do you have the same surgeon as she did? I

should think they'll have their mind very much on her case right

now.

There's always going to be cases that went terribly wrong at our

local hospitals that we'll hear about through friends and the local

papers and they stick in our minds. I heard some bad local true

stories by word of mouth, but my own experience was a good

one. The good experience stories are forgotten and not

discussed as much as people put their memories behind them.

If you do decide to cancel, I'm not sure the best way to play it,

about explanations. If you explain why it's more than pre-op

jitters, they should be understanding. If it's the same surgeon

you can be sure he's feeling wretched right now, concentrating

on fixing her. Naturally, the hospital staff will want to reassure

you that that won't happen to you, (and it is highly unlikely to

happen to you statistically.)

When you're out of hospital, don't let your anxiety about your

friend set back your own recovery. You'll help her best by resting

and getting well and looking after your long term health. People

will be thinking very much of you as well. Try to focus on positive

thoughts that are going to reassure you.

Aztek

[Guest guest]

Hi, Onyx Pearl, first of all, take a slow deep breath, hold it to the

count of 4, then let it out slowly. Repeat a few times -- you'll be

feeling calmer. Repeat as needed. {grin} It's always frightening

to hear a bad news story right before you're scheduled for surgery.

But remember -- someone having a bad outcome does not indicate

ANYTHING about what your own experience will be.

You need to tell yourself that you have a good doctor, you've done

your homework and the odds are very, very much in your favor for a

highly favorable outcome. Remember that this one bad outcome is just

that -- one bad outcome out of probably thousands of tubal ligations

that were done on that day. Help yourself not to " awfulize " -- that

is, not to focus on the worst case and forget about ALL the other

cases that go so right.

Best of luck to you.

Leonie

> Okay ladies slap me silly before I duck for cover and

> go under my blankets and don't come out. I am

> scheduled for surgery in two weeks and as if I was not

> apprehensive enough about it, I just got a call from a

> friend of mine about another friend of ours-she was

> only 39 and decided to go in for a tubal ligation. It

> was supposed to be a simple enough procedure, she was

> in a world-reknown hospital, good doctor, etc. Well,

> she is now in the ICU hooked up to every device

> imaginable, bleeding into her belly, unable to breath,

> on a respirator, etc. etc. I don't know all the

> details because I can't get in to see her while she is

> still in ICU-immediate family only, but I am freaked

> beyond the realm of freakdom. Ah, surgery and its

> risks. I am in a real tailspin about canceling my

> surgery, yet I also know that I am having symptoms

> that are really messing with my life and re-scheduling

> would mean a long wait and possibly a change in doctor

> since I don't know how he'd react to my canceling.

> Please tell me something to help ground me, as I am

> reeling from this news about my friend.

[Guest guest]

Pearl

Fear of surgery is normal, expected

BUT you have to keep control of it because too much

fear can keep you from doing what is necessary

I have lived through this and once about ten years ago

let fear overwhelm me. I didn't get the medical

treatment I needed because I was too afraid. I let

fear turn to depression and it then was like a river,

drowning me. I waited too long and by the time I got

help it was too late. Fibroids have their own too

late...it is called a hysterectomy or worse. Don't

wait so long that you cannot have a choice.

Please breathe deep

Count to twennty as many times as needed

watch happy videos

read great books

Fill yourself with positive images for a few days and

then think again about your surgery. Get through the

fear with your own strength. And remember how good

you will feel after your surgery. No more bleeding or

pain or whatever convinced you in the first place

Good Luck

jp

[Guest guest]

I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I hope she is improving and

will be well soon.

Leoni is right. Because your friend had a bad experience doesn't

mean you will. I just had my myo on 5/10 and am recovering very

well. I just had my post op today and the doctor was pleased with my

progress. My fibroids were very large (my uterus was the size of a

full term pregnancy), but my surgery went well and I was home after

two nights in the hospital. I am now walking about 30 minutes a day

on most days. I know you will do well too. Take care.